Position: Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Coachella Valley Firebirds   

Department: AHL - Coachella Valley Firebirds  

Reporting To: Head Coach, Coachella Valley Firebirds

How to Apply - Submit the following:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter describing your relevant experience and training philosophy
3. Contact for 3 professional references

Our Purpose:

We are building a championship organization that serves our fans, community and business partners through world class sports and entertainment. We believe that Winning Matters, our Fans come first, with risk comes reward, great teams can achieve unimaginable results, honoring the Pacific Northwest is our duty and driving the business is our responsibility. 

Since the team was awarded in 2018 through to our first puck drop in 2021, the Kraken brand has become one of the most recognized and beloved in the NHL. Playing at Climate Pledge Arena, the most sustainable arena in the world, we want to provide a memorable experience every night and make fans for life. Our joint foundation, One Roof Foundation aims to advance equity and sustainability by increasing opportunities to thrive for our most vulnerable young people and communities.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring:

The Seattle Kraken aspire to write a new playbook in sports and entertainment that includes everyone. In alignment with this vision, if you don’t meet every job requirement listed—or if you haven’t played ice hockey before or are still learning about the sport—we still encourage you to apply. We understand you may bring other relevant experiences and expertise to help us become the highest performance organization we can be. One of our core values is ‘Make Us Better’ and we recognize diversity, equity and inclusion as a critical business strategy.  

If you’d like to request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please let us know by emailing: [email protected].  

Position Summary:

The Coachella Valley Firebirds are seeking a dynamic Head Strength and Conditioning Coach to lead the physical preparation, performance monitoring, and recovery strategies of our athletes. This position plays a central role in the player development pathway between the AHL and NHL, aligning closely with the Seattle Kraken’s organizational performance model.

The candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering individualized and team-based training programs that support player development, performance readiness, and long-term athletic growth. This role is embedded within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that includes close interaction with coaching staff, medical personnel, and the Kraken performance team. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Design and deliver comprehensive strength and conditioning programs for all Firebirds players
• Lead daily preparation and recovery strategies, including warm-ups, cooldowns, and regeneration sessions
• Monitor on-ice workloads using Catapult and Polar systems
• Develop and implement pre-season and in-season testing protocols in collaboration with Seattle Kraken S&C staff
• Work with medical and coaching staff to support criteria-based return-to-play strategies
• Coordinate closely with the CV chef and Seattle Kraken Lead Dietician to ensure nutrition plans and post-activity meals meet performance standards
• Maintain and report key performance data, ensuring clear communication with Kraken performance and development personnel
• Oversee weight room operations, including equipment maintenance and supplement management

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA (Required)
• CPR/AED Certification (Required)
• 3–5 years of experience working in elite/professional or high-level collegiate sport (hockey experience preferred)
• Strong knowledge of athlete development, high-performance planning, and return-to-play protocols
• Proficient with performance technologies such as Hawkin Dynamics force plates, Catapult, and other athlete monitoring tools
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, development-focused environment

Total Rewards Package:

• Compensation:
  • In accordance with California’s Equal Pay Act, the expected salary range for this position is $85,000 - $95,000 annually. Actual base pay will depend on employee’s experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
• Benefits & Perks:
  • Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, including premiums for eligible dependents enrolled in the plans
  • Company-paid life insurance and short & long term disability insurance
  • Company-paid employee assistance program and Headspace subscription
  • Flexible spending accounts and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance available
  • 401k (pre-tax and Roth) with Company match up to 4%
  • 15 vacation days and accrued sick time
  • Minimum 10 paid holidays per year
  • Paid parental leave

Working Conditions:

• This role is based on-site in Palm Desert, CA and requires work to be performed in person.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required
• Frequent bending, lifting 20+ pounds, sitting, exposure to multiple external elements, extensive walking through the building including inclines and stairs.

Seattle Hockey Partners, LLC and Seattle Arena Company, LLC are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate on basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Experience

• 5

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.